Book Review: End of Days (Penryn & the End of Days, #3) by Susan Ee

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Format: Paperback

Publishers: Hodder & Stoughton

Published: 12th May 2015

Pages: 435

Genre: YA, Paranormal Romance, Dystopia

Main Characters: Penryn, Raffe
Date Read: 4th April - 22nd April 2016

Rating Given:

Synopsis:End of Days is the explosive conclusion to Susan Ee’s bestselling Penryn & the End of Days trilogy. After a daring escape from the angels, Penryn and Raffe are on the run. They’re both desperate to find a doctor who can reverse the twisted changes inflicted by the angels on Raffe and Penryn’s sister. As they set off in search of answers, a startling revelation about Raffe’s past unleashes dark forces that threaten them all.
When the angels release an apocalyptic nightmare onto humans, both sides are set on a path toward war. As unlikely alliances form and strategies shift, who will emerge victorious? Forced to pick sides in the fight for control of the earthly realm, Raffe and Penryn must choose: Their own kind, or each other?

After reading the first book in this series I have been eager to finish the series to find out how it all ends but both of the books that followed Angelfall just didn't live upto it...

All of the covers in this series have been similar but with subtle differences. What I don't like about this particular cover is the circle with part of the cover from the first book as I feel as though it should be removable as it distracts from the overall look of the cover.

When I first began this book I was enjoying it to a certain extent but for the most I felt it was a little too slow it just took too long to get on with the action. I loved that I never knew what was going to happen throughout the book as some of the things that happened threw me I just wasn't expecting pretty much everything that had happened. There was some dark moments but there was a bit of humour to balance it out. The romance side of the story played a bit of a bigger part in this book but that being said I do feel as though it was a bit of an after thought and a bit rushed. The battle towards the end was epic and I wished there was more of it as it was thrilling. For me the ending was a bit rushed plus I felt like there could be another book or at least a novella just so there's more of a clear ending.

All of the characters have grown throughout the series and we were also introduced to some new characters which I loved I just wish we had met them before as they where great additions to this series. Penryn has had the biggest personality growth especially in this book which has made her an even more likeable character. Raffe was hit and miss in this book but mainly a hit especially the second half of the book.

Overall, it was a good ending to the series but I did expect more from this series especially after such an epic beginning with Angelfall.

Book Review: Ignite Me (Shatter Me, #3) by Tahereh Mafi

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Format: Paperback 

Publishers: Harper Collins

Published: 4th February 2014

Pages: 408

Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian, Romance, 

Main Characters: Juliette, Warner, Adam
Date Read: 3rd October - 11th October 2015

Rating Given:

Synopsis:The heart-stopping conclusion to the New York Times bestselling Shatter Me series, which Ransom Riggs, author of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children and Hollow City, called "a thrilling, high-stakes saga of self-discovery and forbidden love."
With Omega Point destroyed, Juliette doesn't know if the rebels, her friends, or even Adam are alive. But that won't keep her from trying to take down The Reestablishment once and for all. Now she must rely on Warner, the handsome commander of Sector 45. The one person she never thought she could trust. The same person who saved her life. He promises to help Juliette master her powers and save their dying world . . . but that's not all he wants with her.
The Shatter Me series is perfect for fans who crave action-packed young adult novels with tantalizing romance like Divergent by Veronica Roth,The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, and Legend by Marie Lu. Tahereh Mafi has created a captivating and original story that combines the best of dystopian and paranormal, and was praised by Publishers Weekly as "a gripping read from an author who's not afraid to take risks." Now this final book brings the series to a shocking and satisfying end. 

I've had this for a little over a year now and I have finally gotten around to finishing this series and what an epic ending to an amazing series...

Another stunning cover in the Shatter Me series and although I do love it I don't love it as much as the second book as I preferred the colours used in the second one more than I did in this one.

I loved the first book and even though I enjoyed book 2 I still didn't think it was as good as the first but I'm pleased to say this final book was back to it's very best. I tend not to read the end of dystopian series as the ones that I have read wasn't ended in a way that blew me away but this one has made me want to finish those other series although this one may have spoilt me for all the ones I need to read as Ignite Me blew me away and then some. Everything about this book was perfectly written in way that had me enthralled. There was a few twists and turns that I didn't see coming but I was ok with them as they added even more to the story and they where done in a believable manner. I loved the romance in this story as it wasn't the main focus but what romance that there was, was cute and endearing. The action at the end had me on tenter hooks. As for the ending I loved it although I would have liked to see into the future I didn't mind too much as the door is left open for a return.

The characters in the Shatter Me series are the most evolved characters that I've ever read about. Juliette is the most changed from the first book where she was a shy, introverted, fragile person to someone who takes charge and leads the fight and not a fragile person which I was pleased about. Warner I have always loved but even he has shown a more tender and vulnerable side to him. As for Adam I hated his changes as some of the things he said was awful. Kenji has to be one of my favourite characters ever as he is so funny and without him this series would have been completely depressing but even Kenji showed a more vulnerable side.

Overall, Ignite Me was an amazing end to an amazing series and I can't wait to read something new from Tahereh Mafi as she is one talented writer.

Book Review: The Elite (The Selection, #2) by Kiera Cass

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Format: Paperback

Publishers: Harper Collins

Published: 23rd April 2013

Pages: 326

Genre: YA, Romance, Dystopian

Main Characters: America, Maxon, Aspen
Date Read: 20th August - 29th August 2015

Rating Given:

Synopsis:The Selection gets fierce as rivals stake their claim on the prince. Six girls, one life-changing prize...America Singer will leave her pre-destined life for a world of glamour and luxury, if she wins...But surviving The Selection is tough. Rivals are battling to become Prince Maxon's bride as the threat of rebel violence just beyond the palace walls escalates into war. Only six girls are left and sworn friendships are tested to breaking point. America's feelings for Maxon grow stronger, but she suspects darker mysteries in his royal past. With ex-lover Aspen waiting for her in the shadows, where do her loyalties truly lie?

I have been putting this one off for a while now as I wasn't a huge fan of the first one but I thought I would give it a go, and to be honest I'm still not a huge fan...

I do like this cover with that dress it looks stunningly luxurious. The colours are also what makes this a gorgeous cover. The only thing I don't like about this cover is the expression on the girl as she looks so mardy which I kind of get but it still lets down the cover.

When I first started The Elite I did think it was going to be better than the first one as I was really into the story, however, for me the more I read the more everything wound me up. The things that really got me annoyed was the love triangle, which I don't usually mind love triangles but this one just didn't feel realistic. America would go back and forward with who she loved but it seemed she would only go with one when the other one annoyed her. I did like the rebels as it added something more to the story but even that felt like it was rushed and not explained well. The ending did pick up for me to the point that has me wanting to read the next one which was why I gave The Elite 3 stars otherwise it could have been a lot less but because of the beginning and the ending I couldn't give it any less.

It was mainly the characters that put me off this book as they all annoyed me apart from Marlee as she seemed the nicest and most genuine character. America in the beginning I thought was so much more likeable than in the first book, however, the way she acted was nothing more than a spoilt brat. She was such a hypocrite as it was all right for her not to know who she wanted but god forbid Maxon liked someone else. Maxon really annoyed me in this book as he acted like America but I could understand his actions (even if I didn't approve). Aspen wasn't really in this as much as the other characters so it was hard to like him or dislike him.

Overall I was not able to enjoy this book all the way through but I liked it enough in the end to warrant a read of the next book.

Book Review: World After (Penryn & the End of Days, #2) by Susan Ee

May contain spoilers from the first book

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Format: Paperback 

Publishers: Hodder & Stoughton

Published: 21st November 2013

Pages: 314

Genre: YA, Urban Fantasy, Dystopia

Main Characters: Penryn
Date Read: 3rd May - 23rd May 2015

Rating Given:

Synopsis:In this sequel to the bestselling fantasy thriller, Angelfall, the survivors of the angel apocalypse begin to scrape back together what's left of the modern world.
When a group of people capture Penryn's sister Paige, thinking she's a monster, the situation ends in a massacre. Paige disappears. Humans are terrified. Mom is heartbroken.
Penryn drives through the streets of San Francisco looking for Paige. Why are the streets so empty? Where is everybody? Her search leads her into the heart of the angels' secret plans where she catches a glimpse of their motivations, and learns the horrifying extent to which the angels are willing to go.
Meanwhile, Raffe hunts for his wings. Without them, he can't rejoin the angels, can't take his rightful place as one of their leaders. When faced with recapturing his wings or helping Penryn survive, which will he choose?

I was sent a review copy by the publishers in exchange for an honest review.

I love this cover just as much as the first book and I especially love that it ties in with the first book but with different wings. I liked that they have used different wings as these remind of the wings that Raffe has. I love the overall effect of this book as it makes it stand out even when there is not much on the cover.

After finishing the first book Angelfall I couldn't wait to continue on in the series however for me this second book disappointed me. I couldn't get into it like I did the first book and even though there was a lot going on it still didn't capture my interest. It took me ages to get through World After as I just didn't feel as though I wanted to continue on with it but I'm glad I did because the last half of the book started to grab me just like Angelfall did. The last half of the book just seemed to come together nicely with twists and turns that I didn't see coming the action in this half of the book had me on tenter-hooks. There was even a little more romance than there was in the first book which I loved. Once I had finished the book I got very excited to see how this series is going to end and I can't wait to get my hands on End of Days if its anything like Angelfall and the end of World After it's going to be epic!

I didn't have the same feelings towards the characters in this book although there was a few that I still loved. Raffe wasn't in most of the book but what little we did see I loved as I feel like we got a better understanding of why he is the way he is. Penryn showed a different side to her that I hadn't seen before and I didn't like it but apart from that she was her kick ass self. I seemed to warm a little more towards Penryn's mother as she seemed more sympathetic towards Paige which surprised me especially when she called Penryn out for her behaviour towards her sister. We got to see a little more of Paige in this book which was nice to see although I felt so sorry for what was done to her.

Overall the first half didn't do anything for me but I'm glad I kept with it as by the end I started to fall in love with the series again.

Book Review: Angelfall (Penryn & the End of Days, #1) by Susan Ee

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Format: Paperback 

Publishers: Feral Dream

Published: 14th February 2012

Pages: 284

Genre: YA, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy, Dystopia

Main Characters: Penryn, Raffe
Date Read: 18th April - 26th April 2015

Rating Given:

Synopsis:
It's been six weeks since angels of the apocalypse descended to demolish the modern world. Street gangs rule the day while fear and superstition rule the night. When warrior angels fly away with a helpless little girl, her seventeen-year-old sister Penryn will do anything to get her back. Anything, including making a deal with an enemy angel. Raffe is a warrior who lies broken and wingless on the street. After eons of fighting his own battles, he finds himself being rescued from a desperate situation by a half-starved teenage girl. Travelling through a dark and twisted Northern California, they have only each other to rely on for survival. Together, they journey toward the angels' stronghold in San Francisco where she'll risk everything to rescue her sister and he'll put himself at the mercy of his greatest enemies for the chance to be made whole again.

I received this for my birthday a couple of years ago now and I have only just gotten around to reading it. I really don't know why it took me so long to get around with it but in a way I'm glad I waited as I will be able to get the last book read with he series fresh in my mind.

I'm a huge fan of this cover and I must admit the cover was why I wanted to read it, I know I shouldn't judge a book by its cover and I've been let down by favourite covers before but thankfully the story lives up to the cover. I love that the cover is simple with the dark colours saying everything.

As soon as I started this book I knew that all those reviews where not lying as this was one amazing read. There was so much happening in this book that I was never bored of reading it and it was written in a way that didn't make me feel overwhelmed with everything happening. I usually love romance in the books that I read but there wasn't really any of that happening apart from maybe a glimpse of something to come, I just didn't mind the lack of romance as I was so enthralled with everything that actually was happening I found that I didn't miss the romance. I have read a few angel books now and I have enjoyed most of them but I think that this one stands out for me. For me this book was beautifully written making me feel like I was watching what was happening rather than reading what was happening. As well as action there was some emotional scenes in there as well as one particular scene broke my heart and made me want to shout at the character not to believe what he was seeing. The ending was just as amazing as the rest of the book as left me wanting more and I am so glad I have book two waiting for me.

I loved all the characters and hated others (that I was supposed to hate). Penryn has to be one of my favourite female characters ever as she was strong, kick-ass, independent girl. She had to go through a lot of hard times yet it just makes her stronger. What I especially loved about her was the lengths in which she would go to for her sister. Raffe I also loved especially towards the end when he showed a softer (yet heartbreaking) side to him. My other favourite characters where Dee-Dum as they added much needed humour in what was dark times.

Overall I adored this book and I am now off to read the next book as I need to know what on earth is going to happen next.

Book Review: Into the Still Blue (Under the Never Sky, #3) by Veronica Rossi

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Format: Paperback

Publishers: ATOM

Published: 6th February 2014

Pages: 389

Genre: YA, Dystopia, Romance, 

Main Characters: Perry, Aria   
Date Read: 14th February - 19th February 2015

Rating Given:

Synopsis:
Their love and their leadership have been tested. Now it's time for Perry and Aria to unite the Dwellers and the Outsiders in one last desperate attempt to bring balance to their world.
The race to the Still Blue has reached a stalemate. Aria and Perry are determined to find this last safe-haven from the Aether storms before Sable and Hess do-and they are just as determined to stay together.
Meanwhile, time is running out to rescue Cinder, who was abducted by Hess and Sable for his unique abilities. And when Roar returns to camp, he is so furious with Perry that he won't even look at him, and Perry begins to feel like they have already lost.
Out of options, Perry and Aria assemble a team to mount an impossible rescue mission - because Cinder isn't just the key to unlocking the Still Blue and their only hope for survival, he's also their friend. And in a dying world, the bonds between people are what matter most.
In this final book in her stunning Under the Never Sky trilogy, Veronica Rossi raises the stakes to their absolute limit and brings her epic love story to an unforgettable close.

I thought I would get the whole series before I even read the first book and I'm glad I did as I ended up reading the whole series one after the other which I hardly ever do.

Out of the three covers I think that this one is my least favourite as I don't like the colours, however, I do prefer the patterns that are in the background more than the other books.

There was a little time missing from this book to the last book but not by many weeks so I didn't mind plus Rossi explained what had been happening. I think this book is my favourite of the series as there was so much happening keeping me on the edge of my seat with no dull moments. I would say that this one out of all of the series was the saddest book but I didn't mind as there was a little humour to make it a less depressing read. There was a bit more romance in this book which I loved as it was written so well you just knew that these two characters where meant for each other plus we got to see more of an interaction between them unlike the other books. I'm in two minds about the ending as I did love some of the outcome but there was a few bits that I felt was left unanswered which was why I couldn't give it the five stars I had wanted to up until the ending.

More growth for pretty much each of the characters. Aria showed just how strong of a person was and even through she seemed to cry more in this book I still feel like she was a stronger person. In each of the books Perry has shown a new side of himself and this is no different as he showed a vulnerable side to himself this time. Roar started off like he had at the end of the last book but by the end he started to go back to the Roar we all know and love.

Overall a good ending to a brilliant series I just wish that I had all the answers to some of the unanswered questions.

Book Review: Through the Ever Night (Under the Never Sky, #2) by Veronica Rossi

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Format: Paperback

Publishers: ATOM

Published: 8th January 2013

Pages: 341

Genre: YA, Dystopia, Romance, 

Main Characters: Perry, Aria   
Date Read: 14th February - 19th February 2015

Rating Given:

Synopsis:
Aria has struggled to build a life for herself outside Reverie. It hasn't been easy adjusting to life in the wilderness but that struggle has been worth it with Perry by her side. 
But Perry has other challenges. His people are looking to him for answers. Answers about what happened to his nephew and what's happening to their world. And they don't trust the priviledged Aria, one of the enemy, in their midst. 
Soon he'll be forced to chose between the tribe that looks to him for leadership and the girl that looks to him for love.

 I received this a little while ago from ATOM publishers in exchange for a honest review.

This cover was just as beautiful as the first book and I may even like it more than the first one as the backdrop looks absolutely stunning. I am also a fan that each of the books in this series match but also have their own feel about them.

Through the Ever Night picked up from the very last moment that Under the Never Sky finished which I liked as it flowed better without any going back to the moments that where missed. I think I like this one just as much as the first one maybe even a smidgen better which I think had a lot to do with Roar being in it a lot more than the previous book. This was an action packed novel which some of the things that had happened I hadn't expected. Even though there is a lot of sadness in this book (more than even the first one) there is still some moments that had me chuckling along or awwing away at some of the things that had happened. I loved the relationship between Aria and Roar as it was nice to see a guy and girl being just friends and thats what they where the best of friends as this doesn't happen often in the books that I read. I also love the growing feelings between Aria and Perry but with things happening I don't think we got to see enough of them together. I liked the ending as it did leave me wanting more but there wasn't a huge cliff hanger, however I still have gone on to read the last book straight away.

I never feel like there is much to say about the characters in a sequel that hasn't already been said in a previous review but I felt like in this book most of the characters changed and in a good way. Aria has really become this strong person mentally and physically, yeah she was strong in the first book but in this book she had really come into her own. Perry is even more likable in this book than he was in the first book as we got to see a more softer side to him especially when in the presence of Aria. With Roar being in this book more than the first one we got to know a lot more about him and the more I found out about him the more I loved him. There was a change in him at the end of the book that broke my heart I'm just hoping that in the next book he starts to become the Roar he was at the beginning but I'm not sure that's going to happen.

Overall another great book in the Under the Never Sky series and I am very eager to see how it will all come to an end.

Book Review: Under the Never Sky (Under the Never Sky, #1) by Veronica Rossi

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Format: Paperback 

Publishers: ATOM

Published: 8th January 2013

Pages: 384

Genre: YA, Dystopia, Romance

Main Characters: Aria, Perry,  
Date Read: 3rd February - 12th February 2015

Rating Given:

Synopsis:
Since she'd been on the outside, she'd survived an Aether storm, she'd had a knife held to her throat, and she'd seen men murdered.
This was worse.
Exiled from her home, the enclosed city of Reverie, Aria knows her chances of surviving in the outer wasteland--known as The Death Shop--are slim. If the cannibals don't get her, the violent, electrified energy storms will. She's been taught that the very air she breathes can kill her. Then Aria meets an Outsider named Perry. He's wild--a savage--and her only hope of staying alive. 
A hunter for his tribe in a merciless landscape, Perry views Aria as sheltered and fragile--everything he would expect from a Dweller. But he needs Aria's help too; she alone holds the key to his redemption. Opposites in nearly every way, Aria and Perry must accept each other to survive. Their unlikely alliance forges a bond that will determine the fate of all who live under the never sky.

I received this a little while ago from ATOM publishers in exchange for a honest review.

This cover is so much better than the original cover and for the first time I'm glad it was changed plus I never had any of the books before hand so I was able to get all the books matching. I adore the colours they really make the cover stand out. The font used for the title is also a reason why I love this cover.

With this book I wasn't actually a fan at the beginning as it was far too confusing with not much happening. It was awhile when things started to make sense and once that started to happen I found myself enjoying it more and more and in the end I did love it. Sometimes when I love a book in the end I sometimes forgive the beginning especially with it being the first book with a lot of world building but then with the last two chapters there was a huge chunk of time missing which was disappointing. As for the romance side of the story it was more of a slow builder but I didn't mind that as it felt more believable and I loved them together. This is my first book from Veronica Rossi but I know for a fact it won't be the last as I need to see how this trilogy is going to end plus anything new from her I want and need to read. Apart from that chunk of time missing the ending was great as there was a cliff hanger making me eager to read book two which as of writing this review I have already started it which I never do.

I loved the characters as they where all likable. Aria I thought was a bit of a weak character to start with but the more I got to know her the more I found that that was wrong and is actually one of the mentally strongest characters in this book. I wasn't sure I was going to like Perry as he seemed a bit mean towards Aria but again like Aria the more I got to know him the more he changed my opinion of him and in the end I loved him. Apart from the two main characters my other favourite character was Roar as he was funny and sweet, I just hope we get to see more of him in the next books as he wasn't in it that much but he still left an impression on me.

Overall a good world building book with plenty happening in the end.